Is It Racist to Condemn Fanaticism?

How my eyes were opened to the barbarity of Islam.

Once I was held captive in Kabul. I was the bride of a
charming, seductive and Westernized Afghan Muslim whom I met
at an American college. The purdah I experienced was
relatively posh but the sequestered all-female life was not
my cup of chai -- nor was the male hostility to veiled,
partly veiled and unveiled women in public.

When we landed in Kabul, an airport official smoothly
confiscated my US passport. "Don't worry, it's just a
formality," my husband assured me. I never saw that passport
again. I later learnt that this was routinely done to
foreign wives -- perhaps to make it impossible for them to
leave. Overnight, my husband became a stranger. The man with
whom I had discussed Camus, Dostoevsky, Tennessee Williams
and the Italian cinema became a stranger. He treated me the
same way his father and elder brother treated their wives:
distantly, with a hint of disdain and embarrassment.

In our two years together, my future husband had never once
mentioned that his father had three wives and 21 children.
Nor did he tell me that I would be expected to live as if I
had been reared as an Afghan woman. I was supposed to lead a
largely indoor life among women, to go out only with a male
escort and to spend my days waiting for my husband to return
or visiting female relatives, or having new (and very
fashionable) clothes made.

In America, my husband was proud that I was a natural-born
rebel and free thinker. In Afghanistan, my criticism of the
treatment of women and of the poor rendered him suspect,
vulnerable. He mocked my horrified reactions. But I knew
what my eyes and ears told me. I saw how poor women in
chadaris were forced to sit at the back of the bus and had
to keep yielding their place on line in the bazaar to any
man.

Western intellectual-ideologues have demonized me as a racist
"Islamophobe" for arguing that Islam, not Israel, is the
largest practitioner of both sexual and religious apartheid
in the world.

I saw how polygamous, arranged marriages and child brides
led to chronic female suffering and to rivalry between
co-wives and half-brothers; how the subordination and
sequestration of women led to a profound estrangement
between the sexes -- one that led to wife-beating, marital
rape and to a rampant but hotly denied male "prison"-like
homosexuality and pederasty; how frustrated, neglected and
uneducated women tormented their daughter-in-laws and female
servants; how women were not allowed to pray in mosques or
visit male doctors (their husbands described the symptoms in
their absence).

Individual Afghans were enchantingly courteous -- but the
Afghanistan I knew was a bastion of illiteracy, poverty,
treachery and preventable diseases. It was also a police
state, a feudal monarchy and a theocracy, rank with fear and
paranoia. Afghanistan had never been colonized. My relatives
said: "Not even the British could occupy us." Thus I was
forced to conclude that Afghan barbarism was of their own
making and could not be attributed to Western imperialism.

Long before the rise of the Taliban, I learnt not to
romanticize Third World countries or to confuse their
hideous tyrants with liberators. I also learnt that sexual
and religious apartheid in Muslim countries is indigenous
and not the result of Western crimes -- and that such
"colorful tribal customs" are absolutely, not relatively,
evil. Long before al-Qaeda beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan
and Nicholas Berg in Iraq, I understood that it was
dangerous for a Westerner, especially a woman, to live in a
Muslim country. In retrospect, I believe my so-called
Western feminism was forged in that most beautiful and
treacherous of Eastern countries.

Nevertheless, Western intellectual-ideologues, including
feminists, have demonized me as a reactionary and racist
"Islamophobe" for arguing that Islam, not Israel, is the
largest practitioner of both sexual and religious apartheid
in the world and that if Westerners do not stand up to this
apartheid, morally, economically and militarily, we will not
only have the blood of innocents on our hands; we will also
be overrun by Sharia in the West. I have been heckled,
menaced, never-invited, or disinvited for such heretical
ideas -- and for denouncing the epidemic of Muslim-on-Muslim
violence for which tiny Israel is routinely, unbelievably
scapegoated.

Our abject refusal to judge between civilization and barbarism endangers and condemns the victims of Islamic tyranny.

However, my views have found favor with the bravest and
most enlightened people alive. Leading secular Muslim and
ex-Muslim dissidents -- from Egypt, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq,
Jordan, Pakistan, Syria and exiles from Europe and North
America -- assembled for the landmark Islamic Summit
Conference in Florida and invited me to chair the opening
panel on Monday.

According to the chair of the meeting, Ibn Warraq: "What we
need now is an age of enlightenment in the Islamic world.
Without critical examination of Islam, it will remain
dogmatic, fanatical and intolerant and will continue to
stifle thought, human rights, individuality, originality and
truth." The conference issued a declaration calling for such
a new "Enlightenment". The declaration views "Islamophobia"
as a false allegation, sees a "noble future for Islam as a
personal faith, not a political doctrine" and "demands the
release of Islam from its captivity to the ambitions of
power-hungry men".

Now is the time for Western intellectuals who claim to be
antiracists and committed to human rights to stand with
these dissidents. To do so requires that we adopt a
universal standard of human rights and abandon our loyalty
to multicultural relativism, which justifies, even
romanticizes, indigenous Islamist barbarism, totalitarian
terrorism and the persecution of women, religious
minorities, homosexuals and intellectuals. Our abject
refusal to judge between civilization and barbarism, and
between enlightened rationalism and theocratic
fundamentalism, endangers and condemns the victims of
Islamic tyranny.

Ibn Warraq has written a devastating work that will be out
by the summer. It is entitled Defending the West: A Critique
of Edward Said's Orientalism. Will Western intellectuals
also dare to defend the West?

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 31

(31)
Rafael,
July 20, 2014 11:59 AM

Let that culture drown in its own stupidity

After reading this article, how could any woman live there in her right mind! The men of this culture were raised by women... yet it exist. You must interview a Muslim woman who believes in this arrangement . The Muslim woman are every bit responsible for this culture as the men.

(30)
Laura,
July 28, 2008 12:36 AM

islam is evil

Sama, you do not fool anyone here. We know full well how evil islam is and that to be a wife of a muslim man is a life of imprisonment and slavery and physical and emotional abuse. In fact even before they become wives, life for muslim girls is just as horrible. It is mindboggling why a free western woman would subject themselves to such a life as the wife of a muslim man and living in an islamic country at that. Of course back when Phyllis Chesler married her Afghan husband, western women at the time were not privy to the reality of islam. So she can be excused for her naivete. However any western woman in this day and age who would marry a muslim has got to have a screw loose. She must really have low self-esteem.

(29)
K.Katapodi,
March 28, 2007 2:36 PM

Racism and Fanatism are synonymous..but not of course exactly same significance

Modestly of course speaking, as ideas, therefore meanings are at first sight subjective,by being racist may be at first a kind of, say so ''nation fanatism'' or just a tribe fanatic which is general,so in these terms racist is a kind of fanatism, unless its sufficiently justified. Fanatism, must be also justified when it has to do with dogmatism, in this meaning its under consideration and research..unless it has to do with standards..and values of basic law.The way from fanatism, to dogmatism is the correct way, in my point of view, and this the vice versa could just confirm or cancel the initial belief-dogma, always by means of research taken into account that dogmatism deprives from contemplation, when we have to do with ideas or theories, contradictions, and the differences that arise from these ''comparisons'', it's just a matter of being able, to proove what you believe with arguments of course, and so must do other's of course

(28)
Violet,
March 21, 2007 6:13 AM

Thank You

I am constantly hearing Western women comment on life in a "Harem" as if it is right out of Hollywood...thank you for speaking frankly. This should be required reading,along with "Not without my Daughter". How soon people forget.

(27)
sama,
March 21, 2007 1:52 AM

it is not true

I love Islam, and there is no doubt that this article was written by man who does not know fully all the teaching of this beautiful religion. yes we kill people, but we do it just to protect our countries from false occupation of pro-american countries and "israel" itself... please don't be confused who is doing evil and who is protecting the motherland!!!those who refer for september 11 (which is real evil) i am suggesting to search for documentary movie "Loose Change Second Edition" where is proove that the terracts where not made and planed by muslims...thank you...

(26)
Virgil,
March 20, 2007 4:16 PM

What's peace in Islam,Israel, Cristianity in the west?

After reading a few comments about Islam.It hurts my heart to hear how we treat life and asked myself what's a holyman or a holy woman in Islam? Isn't G-D's will to love oneanother,to care for your neighbor to respect life? WE know G-d hates inmorality,Divorce ...disrespect towards His holy NAME -Where are those people(His holyservants)that hate this things?

(25)
name,
March 17, 2007 12:57 PM

Islam is a religion of peace, and if you don't believe it, they'll kill you.

(24)
Cynthia,
March 15, 2007 12:04 PM

Another voice of first hand experience

As an archaeologist I worked, traveled and lived in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. My mother lived in Kuait for 2 years working for an American bank. I was married to an American man whos parents were from Syria. Even though they were Christians I was in constant contact with the Middle Eastern community, both Muslim and Christian.

I tried to communicate the danger that I saw spilling over from the Muslim culture to my friends and family in the States but it was not real for them. They found it hard to believe me and often labeled me racist. I experienced this concern even though I lived in very moderate Muslim countries and knew muslims tempered by American freedoms. I can only imagine how a life under a radical sect would be.

After 9/11 I became very worried for the future of my daughters and granddaughters and have become much more vocal. This is a message that needs to be told (actually yelled from the mountain tops) over and over again until parents and freedom loving people listen. We are in a fight for our existence and lives, death would be the least evil that could happen to us if Islam should get a foot hold in our country.

(23)
Cletus Kpelle,
March 15, 2007 5:27 AM

My uncle before he died was a muslim. He wanted us all to be muslims, but because of the muslims unforgivable atittude, non agreed to follow him till he died.

(22)
Rita,
March 13, 2007 10:20 AM

This should resonate with enlightened Muslims as well as those of us who feel the need to accept the differences between religions ( or with non-believers as well)...accept that each one has its own values and can and should co-exist in today's world. What we really need are enlightened Muslims to assist in projecting this more global view.

(21)
Anonymous,
March 13, 2007 12:12 AM

incredible, enlightening and hopeful

We need more personal accounts like this, perhaps to circulate to, and activate enlightened Muslims in democratic countries to become activists against the suicidal and inescapable barbarities of Islamic teachings.

(20)
Anonymous,
March 12, 2007 9:02 PM

go phyllis!

tell all the air-headed pro-arab idiots what they really are supporting!!

(19)
jennifer,
March 12, 2007 11:10 AM

Muslims do not admit there are problems

I read this article online several days ago on the London Times website. The comments from Muslims were antagonistic towards the author, calling her a liar and a fraud, and accusing her of just trying to stir things up against Islam. I have yet to hear any Muslims anywhere say that Islam is not the perfect, peaceful. coming-to-your-neighborhood-soon religion they want it to be.

(18)
Robert Schmolka,
March 12, 2007 8:42 AM

I totally agree with the author on all.

I have known arabs from the middle east(Egypt,Lebanon and Syria), who'm I met at the University of Grenoble. They were my friends then. But since I'm in contact with the virulent antijudaism of the French born descendants of Maghrebi muslims, I became an "islamophobic" liberal. I am surprised that an educated muslim is able to revert tothe primitive versionof islam. I have known an afghan intellectual married to a French womanwho reacted differently by remaining in Europe. An Egyptian intellectual married to a French woman treats her in the western tradition even in Egypt.Islam and ignorance or illiteracy is the worst mixture.

(17)
Miriam Null,
March 12, 2007 6:26 AM

bravo Phyllis

Thans for republishing this bit about life n Afghanistan for women, and bravo that conference.what happened there?

(16)
jack Podolski,
March 12, 2007 3:54 AM

If you love your children you must object to such evil on any human being

It is incumbant on all decent humans to end the enslavements and debasment of others and do not blame your fellows for the evil behaviors of others and do not be afraid to call for actions against those that enslave and do not object to the enslavement of others are enablers of evil

(15)
pete davies,
March 12, 2007 1:24 AM

IMPORTANT TO GO TO EVERY NEWSPAPER

This sort of article should be sent to each and every newspaper world wide.The UN ,OAU,and similar controlling organisations will never never curb or decrease or control ```FANATISM,CRIME,CORRUPTION,RACIALISM,DRUG TRAFFICKING/USAGE ,CHILD ABUSE ``and get rid of the Despots like Mugabe etc if ``WOMEN``are not truly ```emancipated``.This concept /topic should be on every Democratic Meeting`s Agenda and forced on the many non-democratic countries.Unfortunately the UN,OAU and countries like USA/FRANCE/GREAT BRITAIN/GERMANY turn a blind eye if it does not suite them economically. More than 50% of all top Humanitarian organisations should consist of Educated enlightened women. Lets really start a avalanche saying ```ENOUGH```

(14)
RH,
March 11, 2007 8:47 PM

Time Warp

Thank you for telling your story. Why doesn't the American media consistently expose stories like this? I feel badly for all women that are treated in the manner you described. This is a human rights issue that transcends religion.

(13)
Brenda,
March 11, 2007 8:32 PM

the world should know.

Articles like this need to be published widely among Christians and Jews so we can pray effectively. The world needs to know what she experienced.How did she get out?

(12)
Andy Pocock,
March 11, 2007 4:42 PM

Phyllis is brave

Phyllis Chesler is brave and right. I honour her for speaking out and pray that Muslims will begin to think for themselves and be bold enough for self criticism, and enpowered to change their behaviour

(11)
martin bernstein,
March 11, 2007 4:22 PM

even ancient civilazations were more enlightened.

cheers for aC.C.N.Y prof.

(10)
Dvirah,
March 11, 2007 4:01 PM

Mediation: Courage & Sonia

It is true that non-practicing individuals are less regarded by their practicing fellows in any religion; it is also true that by Jewish Law an individual born of a Jewish mother is automatically Jewish whether observant or not. However, change must start somewhere. The important thing is to listen and keep an open mind: it is not always required to agree. An "outsider" may have a legitamite observation that can lead to constructive changes without destroying religious faith or structure.In the case of Islam, it appears that at this time, only those people who have stepped outside that religion have the will and/or courage to speak out (for whatever reason). Let us begin by listening to them; we can then take the debate to practicing but moderate Moslems and, with G-d's help, gently open their eyes to the changes needed. But we must start now, or there will be no time for gentleness.

(9)
stan kohls,
March 11, 2007 1:57 PM

I was surprised to discover, during extended travel in North Africa and the Middle East, that Islam is a tyrannical, reactionary, brutal and ignorant ideology, although not all Muslims accept all aspects of their religion.Islam is about where Christianity was a thousand years ago, with bloody crusades and inquisitions. But Christianity has generally undergone an Enlightenment, while nothing like this has occured in Islam.Muslims today often blame their problems on others: Jews, the West, etc. They are unwilling to be introspective, and tend to think of themselves of victims, instead of taking responsibility for their circumstances. This makes change very difficult, since every problem and failure is always someone else's fault.stan kohls,somis, CA.

(8)
Gary Katz,
March 11, 2007 1:31 PM

Truth trumps political correctness

The problem with radical/fundamentalist Islam is that change must come from within, but those who criticize are dismissed as heretics, infidels or closet Zionists. Eventually the pendulum of Islam will swing back to more tolerant ideas, but the pendulum might swing even more toward the radical first.

(7)
valerie,
March 11, 2007 1:17 PM

phyllis's chesler is right.

I feel that the worst purpetrators of her thoughts and expericences are the Peace Now in Israel, that will demonstrate on behalf of Islam anywhere they can. But have they once protested about the treatment we recieve in Iran, Iraq, and even here by the constant barrage of Kassams in Ashkelon, and Sderot? Of course not, thats no racist!The worst form or racism is agains ones own people and culture.

(6)
Ari Blum,
March 11, 2007 12:30 PM

Religious Crime

Thank you for speaking out. It is sad that many people (particularly Americans) feel ashamed and uncertain how to react when criticising crimes and criminals who hide behind the guise and claim of religious (and cultural) belief. Until the world (including Muslims) rejects those who pervert religious teaching to protect criminal behavior, violence, and hatred we are all in for a long and frighting future.

(5)
Ron,
March 11, 2007 12:22 PM

FANATIC ISLAM IS A CANCER ON THE WORLD

iSLAMO FASCISTS WANT TO TAKE THE WORLD BACK TO THE 12TH CENTURY, WHERE WOMAN ARE SECOND CLASS CITIZENS AND ANY DISSENT CAN COST YOU YOUR LIFE.

(4)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2007 10:28 AM

There are still girls who are like what Dr. Chesler used to be but not always as fortunate in most cases......

Unfortunatley its very prevalent in Israel where alot of jewish girls are vulnerable of falling into the clutches of their arab predators who seduce them with their charming demeanor. By the time these girls relize what they gotten themselves into,its already too late and many of them are unable to escape.

(3)
Sonia,
March 11, 2007 10:23 AM

Response to poster "Courage!"

To Poster "Courage" on 3/11I have a reaction to the comment posted in which an equivalency is postulated for Jews in comparision to practices by other religions.

In your response to Dr. Chesler's article you state: "just as a formerly a religious Jew ... would delegitimize their agenda as someone who has left the faith"! I do not and cannot speak for other religions practices and expectations, but I know a Jew by virtue of being born to a Jewish mother or having undergone a legitimate conversion to Judaism is always a Jew!

Of course it is hoped, it is expected a Jew will learn and observe the mitzvot and abide by Torah tenets and instruction! Will raise their children in the path of rightousness! Will come to synagogue and participate in Jewish community. The door is always open and available for a Jew to join in with other Jews and welcomed!"Leaving the faith" is not so easy to do!

(2)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2007 10:18 AM

Sequel, please!

How did you get out???

(1)
Anonymous,
March 11, 2007 8:40 AM

Courage!

Thank you Ms. Chesler for your brave words. I'm sure the circumstances of your escape from Afghanistan and your unfortunate marriage is quite a story and hope it will be told someday.

I respect the courage of Muslim dissidents who are slowly stepping forward to relay to the (non-listening) West the truth about Islam. However, it is doubtful the words and testimonies of "secular and ex-Muslim dissidents" will be accorded any validity, as they are considered heretics within their own faith, just as (l'havdil) a formerly religious Jew or non-practicing Christian would delegitimize their agenda as someone who has left their faith or does not agree with its many core principles. Therefore, until the day comes when *practicing, observant* Muslims have the courage to speak out against the atrocities, politicization, and pervisions of their religion by their hateful leaders and gullible followers, nothing will change.

I’ve heard the argument made that Jews should not buy German products, for example Volkswagen cars which used Jewish slave labor during the war. It is wrong for Jews to support German industries?

My cousin says we should just forgive and forget. I would like your thoughts on the subject.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The great rabbi known as the Chazon Ish once said that if a Torah scroll was found burning, and a man used it to light his cigarette, there is no Jewish law that forbids it. Nevertheless, doing so would show a lack of sensitivity. So too, Jewish law does not forbid purchasing a German car.

Regarding the "demand for forgiveness," people often quote the Bible that when one is struck, it is proper to "turn the other cheek" and allow that cheek to be struck as well. But that only appears in the Christian Bible. Jews believe in fighting actively against evil.

Almost all people are inherently good and so we should forgive their lapses. But some people are truly evil – for example, Amalek, the ancient nation which wantonly attacked the Jews leaving Egypt.

Over two millennia ago when Haman (a descendant of Amalek) was commanded by the king to lead his enemy Mordechai through the streets of Shushan, Mordechai was too weak to climb on to the horse. Haman had to stoop to allow Mordechai to use his back as a stepping stool. In the process, Mordechai delivered a vicious kick to Haman which obviously startled him.

Turning to Mordechai in bewilderment, Haman asked: "Does it not say in your Bible, 'Do not rejoice at your enemy's downfall?'" Mordechai responded that indeed it does, but it refers only to people less evil than Haman. So too, we have no reason or allowance to forgive the Nazis and their helpers. Those who scraped the concrete in the gas chambers gasping for air can choose whether to forgive the Germans. We cannot.

In 1977, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat addressed the Knesset in Jerusalem. Sadat was the first Arab leader to officially visit Israel, after receiving an invitation from Menachem Begin. Sadat had orchestrated the Egyptian attack on Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but after suffering defeat became resigned to the existence of the State of Israel. Much of the Arab world was outraged by Sadat's visit and his change of strategy. One year later, Sadat and Begin signed the Camp David Peace Agreement, for which they received the Nobel Peace Prize. As part of the deal, Israel withdrew from the Sinai peninsula in phases, returning the entire area to Egypt by 1983.

There are many tasks, jobs, and chores that we will end up
doing whether we really enjoy doing them or not. Many hours of our lives are spent this way. The late Rabbi Chaim Friedlander, of Ponevehz Yeshivah, used to say, "If you are going to do it anyway, do it with joy."

Train a young lad according to his method, so that when he grows older he will not deviate from it (Proverbs 22:6).

He shall not deviate from it - the child will not deviate from the method with which he was taught. That method refers to the way we are taught to adapt to life's many hurdles, struggles, and tests.

Education consists of more than just imparting knowledge; it also means training and preparation in how to deal with life. Knowledge is certainly important, but is by no means the sum total of education.

"A person does not properly grasp a Torah principle unless he errs in it" (Gittin 43b). People usually do not really grasp anything unless they first do it wrong. In fact, the hard way is the way to learn. Children learn to walk by stumbling and picking themselves up; young people learn to adjust to life by stumbling and picking themselves up.

Parents and teachers have ample opportunities to serve as role models for their children and students, to demonstrate how to adapt to mistakes and failures. If we show our children and students only our successes, but conceal our failures from them, we deprive them of the most valuable learning opportunities.

We should not allow our egos to interfere with our roles as educators. Parents and teachers fulfill their obligations when they become role models for real life.

Today I shall...

try to share with others, especially with younger people, how I have overcome and survived my mistakes.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...